The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1887-04-07
The Story Of a Wreck.
Thrilling and Romantic Account of
q Mutiny at Sea.
BY w. CLARK RUSSELL
CHAPTER XXX-Cosr1SUED

*Indeed," he replied, 81 am very
pleased with my good fortune in res
acuing so brave pair of men as your
self and your boatswain, and happy tc
have been the instrument of saving the
charming girl to whom you are be-
trothed from the horror of exposure il
an open boat l have had the whole
of your story from Miss Robertson, and
l can only say that you have acted very
theoretically and honorably."
/ replied that | was very grateful to
him for mis- kind words; but / assured
him that | only deserved a portion OF
iIis praise. The man vino truly merited
admiration was the boatswain.
You shall divide the honors." he
said, smiling. 1.-The bosom is already
a hero. My crew seem disposed to
worship him. If you have nothing
better for him in your mind, you may
hand him over 10 me. | know the
value of such men nowadays, when so
much is left to the crimp."
Saving this, he went to the door and
called; and Immediately my old COM
panion, the boatswain. came in. / held
out my hand, and it was clutched by
the honest fellow and held with pas
.sionate cordially.
''AIr Royle, sir" he exclaimed, in a
faltering voice, this is a happy mo-
ment for me. There was time when
L never thought / should ha' seen you
alive again; and it went TO my heart
and made me blubber like any old
woman when l thought o your dyin'
=arter all the trouble you've seen, and
just when, if / may be so bold as to
say it. you might be hOpin' to marry
the brave, high-spirited CELL rs you
saved from drownin', and who belongs
to YOU by the will o. God Almighty"
now asked what had become of the
steward. Captain Craik answered that
health went; that he wandered about
the decks very harmlessly. smiling in
the faces of the men, and seldom
speaking.
May ask what vessel this is?'
said, addressing Captain Craik.
1.-The Peri. of Glasgow. homeward
bound from Jamaica" he answered.
Il know the ship now, sir. She be-
longs to the -- line"
'Quite right. We shall hope to put
you ashore in seven days hence. 1t is
curious that should have known Mr.
Robertson, your lady's father. l called
upon him a few years since in Liver
pool. on business, and had long con-
verSatiOn with him. Little could |
have dreamed that his end would be
$50 sad, and that il should be reserved
for me to rescue his daughter from an
open boat in mid-Atlantic.
''Ah, sill" / exclaimed, mo one but
can ever know the terrible trials this
poor girl has passed through. She
has been twice shipwrecked within
three weeks; she has experienced all
the horrors of a mutiny; she has lost
her father under circumstances which
would have killed many girls with
grief; she has been held in terror of
her life, and yet never once has her
noble courage tagged, her splendid
spirit failed her"
Yes" answered Captain Craik,
81 have read her character in her story
and in her way of relating it. You are
to be congratulated on having won the
love of a woman whose respect alone
would do a man honor"
He deserves what he has 90" said
the doctor, laughing. Findings
keepings."
Il did find her. and mean to keep
her, | exclaimed.
We'll, You have picked up a fort
-une," observed Captain Craik. ut is
not every man who finds a shipwreck
good investment"
Il know nothing about her fortune"
[ answered. She did indeed tell me
that her father was a ship-owner; but
1 have asked no questions and only
know her as Mary Robertson. sweet,
brave girl, whom l love, and, please
God, mean TO marry, though she pos
,sesSed nothing more in the world than
Tthe clothes | found her in"
Our conversation was put to an end
by Mary coming in with bowl of soup
:for me.